MY SECRET WEAPON FOR PLANNING THE BEST BACHELORETTE WEEKEND IN VEGAS & HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR TRIP!

I. Was. Soaked! My clothes were dripping wet! And yet, I couldn’t stop dancing!

It was July and I was in Las Vegas celebrating my girlfriend’s bachelorette. It had been excruciatingly hot all weekend long and going out during the day when the sun was at its highest was almost painful. Thankfully today I had planned for us to go to Encore Beach Club for the Chainsmokers pool party and the jets of water being sprayed over the crowd were an absolute godsend! A momentary break from the heat that I welcomed with open arms!

This trip to Vegas had been months in the making and as maid of honour it was my duty to plan and put it all together. The bride-to-be had invited a small group of people along and even though the numbers were manageable I didn’t know any of the other girls. As someone who doesn’t go to Vegas often I was also a little worried that I: 1) wasn’t up-to-date on what the best parties and restaurants in Vegas were, and 2) didn’t know if the girls were big partiers and would be into what I planned for us. Overwhelmed and nervous, I reached out to a friend who I knew had either planned or attended her fair share of Vegas bachelorette parties and she let me in on one of Vegas’ best kept secret.

Enter the Venetian Resort’s Celebration Team, an in-house concierge service available to guests of the hotel who need help planning the perfect Vegas trip itinerary. My contact Kylie not only helped me secure two Bella Suites next door to one another (ensuring we were all together), but also helped me arrange dinner reservations, provided pricing for show tickets, put me in contact with club promoters, and decorated our room with balloons and champagne for an unexpected dazzling arrival! Within a week of contacting The Celebration Team, our entire weekend itinerary was planned and I started to feel way more confident the girls were going to enjoy themselves - and I was right!

The entire weekend went off without a hitch. The girls and I danced at some of the best clubs, ate at some of the best restaurants, and celebrated the bride-to-be all weekend long. Fast forward to the end of the weekend, the girls and I huddled around in a circle at the Vegas airport laughing as we recapped the events of the past couple days. Together we made a list of highlights from our weekend so that anyone planning a trip to Vegas would have a great place to start. Here is what rose to the top:

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @ISTHATSOH

The first of many interior design decisions to come! Now that we are half way through the last phase of our interior renovations (the basement) I am getting really excited about shifting my focus from renoing our Toronto Victorian home to styling a
No more scary basement! 🏡 Here is a little before and after of our basement underpin by @icy.reno We went from 6 foot ceilings to just under 8.5 and installed new drains, waterproofing and a radiant floor! DYK that doing an underpin and finishing

Parties, Restaurants and Bars!

When it comes to partying in Las Vegas everyone knows there is no shortage of mega clubs and amazing pool parties to choose from. Although the girls and I did go out pretty much every night our favourite ‘night out’ or should I say ‘day out’,  was definitely the Sunday we spent at the Chainsmokers pool party at Encore Beach Club. Little did we know, Kylie had totally hooked us up. The promoter she had put us in contact with made sure we got a great booth in front of the stage and even a free bottle to get us on our way. I don’t think the day could of gone any better. We had our own little private area to put our stuff down, dance till our feet hurt, and let go of any inhibitions we may have had. We stayed in that booth for over 5 hours, dancing despite being completely soaked from being sprayed by the water jets overhead. This was a Vegas party for the books and we were all here for it!  

While in Vegas the girls and I splurged on some pretty extravagant dinners but none was more delightful than our dinner at Rivea. Located on the 64th floor of the Delano Hotel, Rivea is Vegas fine dining at its best. Chef Alain Ducasse uses bold flavours and inventive approaches to add new life to classic French and Italian dishes. As an added extra bonus, the restaurant’s patio also offers the most breathtaking view of the Vegas strip during sunset - a perfect backdrop to an incredible meal. The girls and I got to sample the majority of items on the menu by way of the tasting menu and both the Ricotta Ravioli with Swiss chard and Mint, and Lobster Risotto were two table favourites. If you have cause for celebration like us, dining at Rivea is a must!

Further, I would be remiss if I didn’t also recommend doing some pre-dinner drinks at Skyfall Lounge, a laid back lounge club that offers the same amazing panoramic views as Rivea. The girls and I enjoyed a couple cocktails and glasses of champagne here before heading into dinner at Rivea and in hindsight it was probably the perfect place for us to kick off our trip and get acquainted. Since the atmosphere was relaxing and the music wasn’t overbearing, carrying on conversation and getting to know one another was super easy. Having a couple drinks here before dinner not only helped set the mood for the evening but was also the perfect way for us all to get to know each other and ease into a Bachelorette party weekend in Vegas.

Another crowd-pleaser I was happy to see made the list was our dinner at TAO! This Pan Asian bistro is not only one of my favourite restaurants in Vegas but also happen to be conveniently located in our hotel. The restaurant’s menu and atmosphere never fails to impress and since the girls and I decided to share everything family-style we really got to explore the menu. Although the Crispy Orange Chicken and spicy Lobster Kim Chi Fried Rice were originally ordered for the table I definitely took the lion’s share - sorry not sorry. The fact that the bride-to-be told me later that it was one of the best meals of her life was just the icing on the cake.

If you are as obsessed with the roaring 20’s, art deco interiors, or just have an appreciation for delicious hand-crafted cocktails, Rosina is definitely worth seeking out. Nestled into a corner of the Palazzo casino floor, Rosina is where class and cocktails intertwine. The girls and I had a couple rounds of drinks in the intimate space before dinner and we just loved it. We actually ended up being late for our dinner reservation that night because we were having so much fun taking cute photos by the bar and enjoying delicious libations we completely lost track of time. Considering how close it was to the Venetian and TAO, if you are staying or dining at either you should definetly add in a quick (or not so quick in our case) drink at Rosina to your itinerary.

So there you have it! Our Vegas top 5! If you have any questions or are looking for more insight/want to know more about our trip or how to contact the Celebration Team at the Venetian, just hit me up in the comments below and I will be happy to help answer any questions you have.

Until then, safe travels!

xx

-Soheila

PIN THIS POST

PICTURE PERFECT SAN ANTONIO: A TRAVEL GUIDE

Exploring the San Antonio Botanical Gardens

The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and the farmers market in the Historic Pearl District was in full swing. Kids playing in the nearby fountains filling the courtyard with laughter and joy. A band started to play in the distance and like many others I paused and turned my head in their direction. To the locals walking around me it was just another beautiful Sunday in San Antonio, but to me it was one of those magical moments that makes travelling and discovering new places so wonderful.

It was only last year that San Antonio commemorated its Tricentennial. In true ‘larger than life’ Texas style the city celebrated their Mexican-American heritage with a yearlong fiesta. And why not? San Antonio is a city on the rise with a lot to celebrate! Not only is it the 7th largest city in the US but it’s also the fastest growing. It is a city that in recent years has seen a boom in economic investment and has poured lots of energy into redeveloping not only the downtown core but its surrounding neighbourhoods like the Pearl District. Today San Antonio is beating out every other major Texas city including Houston, Dallas and Austin for ‘most visited city’ and after spending a long weekend in San Antonio, I can see why.

It’s hard to pinpoint the moment during my trip that was the tipping point where I went from ‘liking’ to ‘loving’ San Antonio so I am not even going to try. We all know that when travelling there is no one draw to a destination – maybe you are a foodie who is also an adrenalin junkie or maybe you love history and are in desperate need of some sunshine and hot weather. Whatever your style or desire, San Antonio offers something for everyone and to prove it, I have put together a list of all my favourite discoveries from my recent trip!

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @ISTHATSOH

The first of many interior design decisions to come! Now that we are half way through the last phase of our interior renovations (the basement) I am getting really excited about shifting my focus from renoing our Toronto Victorian home to styling a
No more scary basement! 🏡 Here is a little before and after of our basement underpin by @icy.reno We went from 6 foot ceilings to just under 8.5 and installed new drains, waterproofing and a radiant floor! DYK that doing an underpin and finishing

- BEST PLACES TO EAT IN SAN ANTONIO -

Rib Eye at Botika in the Historic Pearl District

Botika - Calling all foodies! This Peruvian, Chinese and Japanese fusion restaurant in the Pearl District was THE MOST delicious meal that I had while in San Antonio. Having never tried a fusion of cuisine like this before, I was not sure what to expect. Chef Geronimo Lopez surprised me with his uniquely crafted dishes enhanced by spectacular flavour combinations. The restaurant itself is spacious, trendy, and was quite packed on Friday night when we went. I will never forget the evening’s special of squid ink risotto with seared scallops, ahi Amarillo aioli and calamari. Even though it was originally ordered for the table, I couldn’t help myself from gobbling up the lion’s share it was just so good!

The evening’s special - a squid ink risotto with seared scallops, ahi Amarillo aioli and calamari.

Farmers Market at The Historic Pearl District - If you don’t want to just experience the city but actually get a real feel for what local life is like, head to The Historic Pearl District Farmers Market on Saturdays and Sundays. Vendors of all varieties flock to the Pearl District to show off some of Texas’ finest artisan products, freshly baked goods, and fresh produce. It is a great spot for families to take their kids and also a foodie wonderland for adults. I would recommend tying a couple hours here with weekend brunch plans in the Historic Pearl District as a lot of the restaurants are housed in gorgeous partially-resorted and redeveloped old spaces – a major draw of this part of town.

- PLAY -

Tejas Rodeo – What’s a trip to Texas without a little country music, tailgating, and a whole lot of bull riding? Incomplete, that’s what! Although considered one of the smaller rodeos in the San Antonio area, Tejas is definitely one of the best for an intimate and casual Texas cowboy experience. As a long-standing sport in Texas, bull riding is very much ingrained in San Antonio’s culture, and you don’t have to be a cowboy/girl to appreciate it. I was so surprised to see kids as young as 4 jump on the mechanical bull outside the arena and give it their all! And when I witnessed ‘Mutton Bustin’ (when little kids ride sheep into the middle of the arena and try not to fall off) I was instantly mesmerized by how even though there are rough parts to the sport , the whole experience is intended to be fun and playful.

Market Square - If you want to see how San Antonians celebrate their Mexican heritage you have to head to Market Square – the largest Mexican market in the US. The plaza that makes up Market Square features numerous specialty shops, restaurants, produce stands, and vendors. The area is entirely pedestrian-friendly and the pathways are lined with ‘papel picado’ flags which add further charm. Musicians, performers, and artists can also be found entertaining visitors who most likely are also enjoying delicious Mexican sweets like warm chocolate-filled churros!

- LEARN -

Mission San Jose  - So by now you may have figured out that what makes San Antonio so different from its other Texas counterparts is its Spanish heritage. Part of the draw to visit San Antonio is there 5 Missions. Although all beautiful, the one that caught my eye was the Mission San Jose, rightfully known as the "Queen of the Missions”.  The mission itself is gorgeous and features old stone archways, rusted iron gates, and sprawling grounds. Although I didn’t get too much time to explore the area I still thought The Mission San José was a beautiful place to visit, take photos and learn about how the city came to be.

San Antonio River Walk - Arguable one of the biggest draws to San Antonio is it’s Riverwalk. Considered a city park, the River Walk is actually a connection of waterways (originally a serpentine river the city was established beside) that link many surrounding neighbourhoods to downtown. Charming foot bridges and flagstone pathways provide easy pedestrian access to the numerous bars, restaurants, hotels, and stores that line the River Walk making it a fun afternoon activity and a great place to grab some drinks with friends.

Hanging along the Riverwalk in San Antonio

- STAY -

I love the Spanish inspired interiors of Hotel Valencia

Hotel Valencia - Really it should be called ‘Hacienda Valencia’ because they really know how to make you feel right at home (I literally walked around in my bathrobe in the morning LOL). This beautiful Spanish inspired hotel was the first luxury boutique hotel built in San Antonio 16 years ago. The hotel features 213 spacious and contemporary rooms, has Spanish guitar in the lobby Wednesday to Saturday, and has a delicious Argentinian restaurant with gorgeous terrace views of the River Walk. Wifi is complimentary with you stay as well as the morning coffee and pastry bar in the lobby (hence walking around in my bathrobe). Although they do not have a spa they can arrange in room massages and facials.  It also happens to be right in the action, nestled against the San Antonio Riverwalk making it the perfect place to stay downtown.

- RELAX -

Exploring the San Antonio Botanical Gardens

San Antonio Botanical Gardens - Perhaps not the first place you would think of when planning a trip to San Antonio but definitely a great one if you are interested in getting outside, enjoying some green space or even trying your hand at one of my favourite activities – photography! Prior to arriving I fully scoped out the Botanical Gardens on Instagram and became so obsessed with the idea of taking photos there I even planned an outfit ahead of time. They have a couple of enclosed gardens you can explore in addition to what’s outdoors, so there are lots of pretty photo opportunities to be had. In the end I walked away with one of my favourite fashion photos from the whole trip!

San Antonio: The Saga - One FREE activity I had planned to do while in San Antonio was check out renowned French Artist, Xavier de Richemont’s captivating video art installation on the facade of the San Fernando Cathedral. I had seen a glimpse of the show online and was dying to experience it live while in town. Although I did make it to the square in time for the show there were some technical issues with the projectors that night and the show was unable to go on. I would still highly recommend trying to go see it as it looks like a great evening activity, especially if you have an appreciation for the arts.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM MY TRIP!

PIN THIS POST

EVANGELINE SPA @ THE EPICUREAN HOTEL - TAMPA BAY FLORIDA

Evangeline Spa @ The Epicurean Hotel in Tampa Bat

On my recent trip to Tampa Bay I got to experience my first ever HydraFacial MD® Spa Treatment! Before I talk about this breakthrough facial treatment that my head is still whirling over, let me give you some back story!

The Epicurean Hotel - Tampa’s upscale boutique hotel was voted one of Florida’s Top 10 Hotels by Conde Nast Traveler. From the ground floor up this hotel was made for food lovers! From the wine shop and theatre kitchen on the main floor to The Edge cocktail bar on the roof this hotel is the place to see and be seen. The Evangeline Spa located on the main floor of The Epicurean mimics the hotel’s passion for food by featuring food based materials, including coffee scrubs, to help guests relax. It’s no surprise then how excited I was when I got to experience their spa.

The Evangeline Spa is the best place in Tampa to spend a day relaxing and being pampered. The intimate spa setting makes you feel like a true VIP and their selection of treatments will have you walking out of there felling completely rejuvenated. Each product you will experience during your treatment has been carefully selected to awaken your senses. Their fresh fruit scrubs, buttery lotions and rich botanical oils are infused with fresh herbs to successfully relieve stress and leave you feeling revitalized.

One of the spa’s newest offerings is the HydraFacial MD® Spa Treatment. This 30 minute treatment cleans, exfoliates, extracts, hydrates and adds antioxidant protection all at the same time. The newest advancement in non-laser skin resurfacing HydraFacial MD® Spa Treatment is completely painless and is known to deliver clearer, more beautiful skin with very little redness, swelling or downtime.

Having never done a HydraFacial MD® Spa Treatment before I was surprised to see this state of the art skincare equipment in action. The non-invasive, multi-step facial procedure first exfoliates your skin using a serum that removes dead skin cells. The hand held instrument used to conduct the treatment drops serum onto you skin at the same time sucking it up again along with all the dead skin cells. It’s the weirdest sensation! Each step in the procedure is done in the exact same way where a small amount of serum is applied and suctioned off. This technique allows you to do a full peel without any irritation and clean on your pores using suction! How crazy is that!

The last step in the procedure includes an antioxidant protection serum that aims to nourish and protect the skin. I could instantly feel my skin soaking up as much of it as possible! The results were perfect – no irritation,  no redness from extraction just clean, smooth skin! After my procedure was over my technician showed me all the dead skin and dirt that was pulled off my skin - gross I know but also so cool! It was amazing how much he was able to remove even with consistent exfoliating and cleansing on my part!

If you are ever in the Tampa Bay area I greatly suggest you go check out the Evangeline Spa at the Epicurean Hotel for some relaxation and rejuvenation. After your treatment go next door and check out the amazing wine shop at the Epicurean Hotel or rooftop lounge for cocktails under the stars! A perfect way to end any day!

Have any questions about the HydraFacial MD Spa Treatmetn, Evangeline Spa or the Epicurean Hotel? Leave them in the comment section below and I will try my best to answer them!

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

I recently arrived back from a short but sweet trip to one of America’s oldest cities – Boston. This was the first time I have ever really had the chance to explore Boston properly so you know I had to hit the ground running!!!

Ok so after arriving in Boston, looking for the best attractions and restaurants was a little hard. I don’t necessarily think that their food scene is that obvious meaning I have heard from others that it’s there, but still quiet underground so make sure to ask locals for recommendations if you can. A lot of establishments have been around for a while so finding the coolest new places can be a challenge, however I managed to find something for everyone!

SIDE NOTE: If you are flying into Boston’s Logan airport make sure to look out the window during landing! The Boston Logan airport is located on the waterfront and you get absolutely picturesque views of the city!!!!

First things first! Things to do!!!!

Samuel Adams Brewery - 30 Germania St, Boston, MA

I made sure that I stopped by the Samuel Adams brewery. Not just because they have tours starting from 11-4 every day for a simple $2 donation (proceed go to one of their chosen charities), but you also get FREE samples!!!! Tours are about 45 minutes long and include a FREE sample tumbler souvenir as well!

Fun facts about the Samuel Adams Brewery:

-       They let you sample and review beer that isn’t on the market a.k.a. you get to give the ‘Gladiator’ thumb-of-approval
-       Boston is home to a Samuel Adams beer you can’t find anywhere else! It’s called the Boston Brick Red and its only available on tap and in Boston.
-       Boston water (as in PH levels, Dissolved Oxygen, Chlorophyll and other Fluorescing Materials levels, etc) is one of the most important components to the flavor profile you can find in their beer.  Samuel Adams does have breweries in other states and they will break down their local water content and build it up again to match Boston’s water profile before brewing.
-       Samuel Adams (a founding father of America) didn’t start the Samuel Adams Brewing Company - Jim Koch’s did in 1984
-       Their autumn seasonal Octoberfest beer is available August through October and can be purchased in the gift shop along with other small batch growlers! I grabbed their Blueberry growler and it was so YUM!

SAMUEL ADAMS BREWERY -> LINK

Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum - 25 Evans Way, Boston, MA

This museum is better known for its gorgeous courtyard, which is ideal for amazing photo opportunities. The Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum is the converted residence of Isabelle Stewart Gardner – an American art collector, philanthropist, and patron of the arts. She was a very affluent lady in her time and incorporated her property into the museum in 1900. Today, the museum hosts exhibitions of historic and contemporary art, as well as concerts, lectures, family and community programs, and changing courtyard displays.

Fun fact about the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum:

- admittance is discounted to those wearing Boston Red Sox memorabilia, and is free to anyone named Isabella!

ISABELLE STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM -> LINK

Quincy Market - 367 S Market St, Boston, MA

Quincy Market is a historic market complex near Faneuil Hall in downtown Boston (near the water). I loved this place and found it a great place to stop after you explore the Boston harbor. The market itself offers a wide range of food vendors and restaurants. The market can get a bit hectic on the weekend but is still a fun place to go if you want a family friendly activity. Also expect to see horse drawn carriages around the market/Faneuil Hall and street busker performances.

QUINCY MARKET -> LINK

Place to eat! YUM!

Sorellina – Fine Dining $$$$ 1 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA

I loved the Italian-Mediterranean cuisine at this restaurant. I ordered the octopus appetizer with squid ink cous cous and it was a symphony of flavors in my mouth. This restaurant is super posh so it’s great for a nice celebratory dinner occasion or if you are looking to really impress someone. Wink wink nudge nudge.

SORELLINA -> LINK

Saltie Girl – New Seafood Restaurant/Oyster Bar $$$ 281 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA

A new comer to the Boston restaurant scene, Saltie Girl is an oyster bar and seafood paradise. Boston is known for their lobster rolls and clam chowder and you can definitely get both of these staples here! I got their spicy tuna carpaccio, which was literally art on a plate. I also would recommend their Foie Gras with brioche as it was so decadent and delicious it brought tears to my eyes – ok not really but you get the point! LOL!

SALTIE GIRL -> LINK

Kashmir – Indian $$ 279 Newbury St, Boston, MA

Located on Boston’s famous Newbury Street this place serves up some great Indian food. I had their version of Chana Masala and a side of their Dahl and had absolutely no regrets! You can also enjoy their patio and free WIFI if you’re in the area and are in need of refreshments or a break from shopping.

KASHMIR -> LINK

Gourmet Dumpling House – Chinese $$ 52 Beach St, Boston, MA

I was recommended this place by one of my followers and I am so glad I went. This little dumpling house located in Boston’s Chinatown was packed full of people and served up some pretty awesome steamed dumplings. Expect very nice portions that are good for sharing.

GOURMET DUMPLING HOUSE -> LINK

Other fun stuff to do in Boston

If the Red Sox are in town go to Fenway Park to see a game!!!! -> LINK

Keep an eye out for awesome acts at the House of Blues!!! -> LINK

Zip around the waterfront in a speedboat called Codzilla!!  - This looks like a lot of fun and I wish I could of done this! Be prepared to get wet! -> LINK